Seymour Hoffman to direct 'Jack Goes Boating'

The great Philip Seymour Hoffman will be making his directorial debut with "Jack Goes Boating," a romantic comedy based on Bob Glaudini's Off Broadway play.

According to Variety:

"Play's described as an unconventional romantic comedy in New York City, laced with cooking classes, swimming lessons and illegal drugs."

Hoffman is also set to star in the film, along with Amy Ryan, John Ortiz and Daphne Rubin-Vega.

Overture Films is backing the project and will distribute it domestically. Shooting is set to start in New York City in February, according to the trade.

Hoffman is onscreen in the powerful "Doubt." Watch out for him in Richard Curtis' upcoming comedy "The Boat That Rocked," a film I am really looking forward to this year.

New Line to develop 'Rock of Ages' adaptation

If it's somewhere on Broadway or Off Broadway, chances are it'll make it to the big screen. Isn't that a fair assumption? I think so.

Variety reported earlier today that New Line Cinema has acquired the rights to adapt Off Broadway's musical show "Rock of Ages."

Chris D'Arienzo, who wrote the book for the show, is set to write and direct the fick, which follows the story of a man and a woman who fall in love at a rock club but later break apart because of the extravagance of the rock lifestyle.

The trade also says the show boasts '80s rock classics from Twisted Sister, Joan Jett, Pat Benatar, Foreigner, Bon Jovi and others.

As for D'Arienzo, he is currently working on the post-production for his directorial debut "Barry Munday," a comedy starring Patrick Wilson and Judy Greer.

New Line has had a great success with last year's "Hairspray." The film took home more than $200 million worldwide.